Shift mechanism for accordions



Oct. 31, 1950 'r. BUGARI 2,

SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Filed April 15, 1946 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 VY! i l N V EN TOR. To RQU ATO B UGAPA Oct. 31, 1950 T. BUGARI SHIFTMECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed April 15, 1946 W m T AOct. 31, 1950 T. BUGARI SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed April 15, 1946 ATZUQAEI Oct. 31, 1950 1'. BUGARI 2,527,912

SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Filed April 15, 1 946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. TORQU ATb But-mm ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 31, 195T) UNITED2,527,912 SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Torquato Bugari, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Excelsior Accordions Inc., New York, N. Y., acorporation Application April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,305

(Cl. 84-37G) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly topiano accordions.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide for agreater variation in tones, particularly in the bass range, from a pianoaccordion, than is afiorded by the usual keys on the key board.

It is a more particular objectiof the present invention to provide in apiano accordion for selective modification of the action of the usualkeys on the key board upon the valve mechanism of the accordion,particularly of the bass section thereof, and thereby obtain, throughtheopera- 'tion of each single key, any one of a number of differenttones.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be fully understood from the following description considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a piano accordion embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a part of the bass key boardof the accordion;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the key board;

Fig. 4, is a view as if looking into the bass base section when the sameis removed from the rest of the accordion at the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the bass base sectionof the accordion, the section thereof being taken along the line 5-5 ofFig. 4; j i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; a

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a certain detail;

Fig. 8 perspectively illustrates certaindisassembled parts of the valvemechanism of the bass basesection;

Fig. 9 perspectively illustrates certain disassembled parts of anactuating member of the same mechanism;

Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, show certain associatedcontrol elements ofthe same valve mecha- I nism in plan view.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, theaccordion 20 comprises the usual treble and bass base sections 22 and24, respectively, an interposed bellows section 25, and treble and basskey boards 26 and 28, respectively. The treble and bass; base sections22 and 24, which include chambers containing the customary reed blocks,are removably secured in any suitable manner (not shown) to the bellowssection 25 to provide for ready access to the reed blocks for repair orreplacement of the same.

The reed blocks 36 for the bass base section 24 (Fig. 5) are suitablylocated on top of a valve plate 32. The valve :plate 32 is generallyrectangular in shape and is secured with its marginal portions on amounting board as by means of hold-down brackets 36 (Figs. 4 and 5). Themounting board 34 is suitably mounted in the bass base section 21. andis apertured at 38 to expose certain valve openings or passages 40 inthe valve plate 32 toa chamber 4| (Fig. 5) into which air from thebellows 24 is delivered in a conventional manner (not shown). Each oneof the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 is in alignment with anindividual reed in one of the blocks 33 so as to direct air thereintofor vibrating the reed.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the valve passages 4! in the valve plate32 are arranged in longitudinal rows Rl to R6, of which the adjacentvalve passages to in the rows RLRZ, R3, and, R4, R5, R6, are laterallyaligned to form groups GI and G2, respectively, which are controlled bythe usual or main valves 42 and 44, respectively. The main valves 42 and44 are pivotall mounted in the usual manner at 45 on suitablebracket-s41 on the mounting board 34 (Fig. 5), and are normally'urged bysprings 48- into closing engagement with their respective groups G! andG2 of valve passages in the valveplate 32. The main valves 42 and 44 areindividually controlled and operated by the usual keys 50 on the basskey board 28 through suitable operating linkage which is indicated inpart at 52 and 54, respectively, in Fig. 5, and which mayin allessential respects be as shown, for instance, in the patent to.Stratton, No. 370,218, issued .September 20, 1887. I

As is usual in piano accordions of the present type, the series of mainvalves 42 are op'eratively associated with the other series of mainvalves 44 so that, on opening either one of the former valves, theassociated valve of the other series is also opened. To this end, eachvalve 42 is provided at its end with a nose 56 which overlaps a cutawayshoulder 58 on its associated valve 44 in the manner shown in Fig. 5.

The present invention contemplates secondary or additional valvemechanisms associated with the various valve passages 40 in the valveplate 32. To this end, the valve plate 32 is provided with guideways Elllongitudinally of the valve rows R5 to RS (Figs. 4, 5 and 8), in whichvalve slides S are movable. The valve slides Si to S5 are associatedwith the rows RI to R6 of valve passages 48, respectively, in the valveplate 32 (see also Fig. 4). The valve slides SI to S6 are provided withopenings 64 which are f the same shape as the valve passages 48 of theircorresponding rows Rl to R6 in the valve plate 32, and are spacedlongitudinally like the latter valve passages so as to be movable to andfrom alignment with the same. Thus, in sliding either one of the valveslides SI to S6 in its guideway 60, all of its openings 64 are either inalignment, or out of alignment, with the valve passages 40 of theassociated row in the valve plate 32, and thus provide, respectivelyintercept, communication through the valve passages 40. to the reeds ofthe various blocks 38.

The top surfaces of the valve slides SI to S3 are flush with the topsurface of the valve plate 32 (Figs. 5 and 8), and are retained in theirguideways 68 by means of a plate 66 which is secured to the valve plate32 by screws 69 (Fig. 4) and provided with apertures 10 that are shapedlike, and in alignment with, the valve passages 48 in the valve plate32. The reed blocks 38 are rem'ovably mounted in any suitable manner onthe plate 66, a perforated felt lining 72 being preferably interposedbetween the reed blocks 38 and the plate 66.

The valve slides SI to S6 are shifted in different combinations fromopen to closed position by means'of shift keys 74 on the bass ke board28 (Figs. 1 and 2), through intermediation f certain operatingmechanisms to be described presently.

Each one of the sliding valves SI to S is connected by a link T6 with alever "18 (see particularly Fig. 4) which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 88 to a bracket 82 on the mounting board 84. Eachone of the levers I8 is also connected by a lengthwise adjustable link84 with actuating slides 86 which are shown in detail in Figs. 10 tol5,inclusive. More particularly, the slides 85 rest on annular shoulders88 of spaced studs 98 (Fig. 6), which are mounted in the mounting board34 and extend upwardly through spaced longitudinal slots 92 in saidslides 86 to guide the latter for longitudinal movement (Figs. 4, 6 and10 to Mounted on the mounting board 34 are further guide pins 94 whichproject upwardly through additional longitudinal slots 86 in theactuating slides 86 (Figs. 10 to 15). Surrounding the studs 98, andinterposed between theactuating slides 86, are spacers 98 (Figs. 6 and7), while washers and nuts I88 and I02, respectively, on said studs 98retain the slides 86 on their supporting shoulders 88 (Fig. 6).

It is obvious from the foregoing that, on longitudinally sliding eitherone of the actuating slides 86, its associated valve slide S is shiftedto open or closed position, through intermediation of the connectingparts 84, I8 and I6. Suitable stops i536 are provided on the mountingboard 34 (Figs. 4 and 8) of which the stops I86a will be engaged bytheir respective levers I8 when the corresponding slides SI to S3 are inclosed position, i. e., when the openings 64 in the latter slides areout of alignment with, and, hence, intercept communication through, theassociated valve passages 48 in the valve plate 32. Thus, the slides S2and S3 are, in the present instance, shown in Fig. 4 in their respectiveclosed positions, while the slide SI is shown in its open position. Theother stops I051) will be engaged b their respective levers 78 when thecorresponding slides S4 to S6 are in their normal open position. Thus,the slides S4 and S5-are, in the present instance, shown in Fig. 4 intheir respective closed positions, while the slide S8 is shown in itsopen position.

The shift-key operated mechanisms for the valve slides S further includeactuators I I0 which are under the direct control of the shift keys I4.Each of the actuators H0 comprises a rocker H2 which carries an uprightpin H4, adapted to engage and push a lateral shift lug I I6 on anactuating slide 86 and shift the latter from a position in which itsassociated valve slide S is open into a position in which its associatedvalve slide is closed. Each rocker I I2 is made up of the several partsshown in Fig. 9, which are a post H8, an arm I20, on which the pin H4 issuitably mounted as by riveting, another arm I22, and an arm or fingerI24. The arms I20 and I22 are provided with rectangular slots I26 (Fig.9) which fit over the adjacent flattened end I28 of the post H8 and areheld thereon in diametrically opposite relation by a screw. I30 whichisre ceived by the adjacent flattened end. I28 of the post H8. Thefinger I 24 is also provided with a rectangular slot I32. which fitsover a flattened portion I34 at the other end of the post H8 and isretained thereon by a screw I36, threadedly received by said flattenedportion I34 of the post. The post I I8, of each rocker H2 is journalledin a bushing I38 in the mounting board I32, as best shown in Fig. 5.

Adapted to cooperate with the finger I24 of each rocker H2 is a push barI40 (Figs. 6 and 8) for actuating the rocker to shift its associatedactuating slide 86 on depressing the associated shift key I4. Each pushbar I40. is guided between blocks 242 for movement on the under side ofthe mounting board 34 and in operative alignment with the finger I24 ofits associated rocker I I2, at right angles to the actuating slides 86,and is retained between said blocks I42v by a strap I44. The strap I44and the guide blocks I42 are secured to the mounting board 34 in anysuitable manner, as by screws I45, for instance (Figs. 6 and 8). Theforward end of each push bar I40 is offset as at I45 (Fig. 8) andprovided with a fork I46 and a shoulder I48, the latter being engaged bythe end I50. of a. torsion spring I52 which is suitably anchored on ascrew I54 in the mounting board 34. The spring I52 normally urgesthepush bar I40 into its foremost position (Fig. 8) in which a dependinglug I64 of the latter engages the strap, I44. When the push bar I48 isin its foremost position, the associated rocker II 2 and its pin H4 maybe turned into the position shown in Fig. 8 in which they permitmovement of the associated actuating slide 86 into the position shown inthe same figure. In this position of the actuating slide 86, theassociated valve slide S is in its normal open position (Fig. 8). Onshifting the push bar I40 inwardly, against the tendency of the springI52 to hold it in its foremost position, its inner end engages thefinger I24 of the. rocker H2 and turns the latter in the direction ofthe arrow I55 in Fig. 8, whereby the pin I I4 pushes the adjacent shiftlug H6 on the actuating slide 86, thereby shifting the latter in thedirection of the arrow I56 in Fig.8. On thus shifting the actuatingslide 86, the associated valve slide Sis shifted from normally openposition (Fig. 8) into closed position.

The shift keys I4 arepivotally mounted on a rod I58 which, as best shownin Fig. 2, is mounted with its ends in suitable brackets I60 on the basskey board 28. The shift keys 14 are preferably pressed from sheet metalstock into the shape shown in Figs. 3 and 8, and are provided withinwardly turned tabs I62 (Figs. 6 and 8) which project into the forkedends I46 of the push bars I46. In this manner, each shift key I4 isoperatively connected with its push bar I46.

Each rocker II2 also carries on its arm I22 an upright pin I66 which isadapted to cooperate with retainer lugs I68 on the actuating slides 86for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The operation of the individual shift keys I4 and the correspondingaction of their respective rockers IIZ on the actuating slides 86, isbest explained in connection with Figs. 4 and 10 to 15, inclusive. Theactuating slides 86 are shown in Figs. 10 to in the normal relativeposition which they assume when their respective valve slides S are innormal, open position. In the normal relative position of the actuatingslides 86 as shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the shift lugs H6 and theretainerlugs I68 thereof, which are shown in lateral alignment in these severalfigures, are superposed in groups.

Thus, when the shift key 14a is depressed, the rocker II2a is turnedcounterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby the pin II4thereof engages the grouped shift lugs II6a. of the actuating slides 86bto 86 inclusive, and shifts the latter into closing position in whichtheir respective valve slides S5, S4, S3 S2 and SI are closed. Thedescribed turning movement of the rocker I I2a does not result inshifting movement of the actuating slide 86a, since the same is notprovided with a shift lug I I6a in operative relation with the pin II4of said rocker 20., as appears clearly from Fig. 10. Hence, bydepressing the shift key 140, (Fig. 4), all the valve slides S areshifted into closing position, with the single exception of the valveslide S6 which is drivingly connected with the actuating slide 86a, thelatter being the lowermost, or the one nearest to, the bass board 34among the stacked actuating slides 86. Hence, by depressing the shiftkey 140., all the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 are closed,with the exception of those in the row R6.

The other pin I66 of the rocker IIZa will, on turning movement of thelatter in consequence of the depression of the shift key 14a, move intoengagement with the retainer lug I680. on the slide 86a. and therebycompel the latter to remainin its open position. The pin I66 on theactuating slide II2a does not interfere with the described shift of theactuating slides 86b to 86f, since thelatter do not have retainer lugsI68a in operative relation with said pin I66, as follows clearly fromFigs. 11 to 15.

On depressing the shift key 14b (Fig. 4) the pin I I4 of the associatedrocker II2b (Figs. 10 to 15) engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs II6!) of the actuating slides 86a to 866, inclusive, and shifts thelatter into closing position, whereby their respective valve slides S6,S5, S4, S3, and S2 are shifted from normal, open position into closingposition. The described turning movement of the rocker II2b does notaffect the actuating slide 86f, since the same is not provided with ashift lug H61) in operative relation with the pin I I4 of the rocker II2b, as follows clearly from Fig. 15. Hence, when shift key 14b isdepressed, all the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 are closed,with the exception of those in the row RI which remain open, as will bereadily understood. The described turning movement of the rocker II2balso brings the other pin I66 thereof into engagement with the retainerlug I68b on the actuating slide 86 to retain the latter in its normalopen position, such movement of the pin I66, however, does not interferewith the described shift of the actuating slides 86a to 86c, since thelatter fail to have retainer lugs I681) in operative relation with thepin I66 of the rocker IIZb, as follows clearly from Figs. 10 to 14.

On depressing the shift key 140 (Fig. 4), the associated rocker 1 I20 isturned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby its pin II4engages the adjacent, grouped shift lugs II6c of the actuating slides86a to 86d, inclusive, and 86 and shifts the latter slides into closingposition, whereby their associated valve slides S6, S5, S4, S3 and SIare moved into closing position. The referred turning movement of therocker II2c does not alfect the actuating slide 666, since the same isnot provided with a shift lug I I60 in operative relation with the pin II4 of the rocker I I2c, as app-ears clearly from Fig. 1d. The referredturning movement of the rocker I IZc also brings the other pin E66thereof into retaining engagement with the adjacent retainer lug I680 onthe actuating slide 666, but such movement of said pin I66 does notinterfere with the shift of the other actuating slides into closingposition, since they fail to have retainer lugs I680 in operativerelation with the pin 266 of the rocker M20, as appears clearly fromFigs. 10 to 13, inclusive, and 15.

On depressing the shift key 14d (Fig. 4), the associated rocker I lid isturned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby its pin II4engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs II6d of the actuating slides8611, 86c, 86c and 86], and shifts the latter slides into closingposition, whereby their respective valve slides S6, S4, S2 and SI areclosed. The referred turning movement of the rocker I I2d does notaffect the actuating slides 86b and 86d, since these slides have noshift lugs IIBd in operative relation with the pin I I4 of the rocker II2d, as appears clearly from Figs. 11 and 13. Hence, on depressing theshift key led, all the valve passages 46 in the valve plate 32 areclosed, with the exception of those in the rows R3 and R5. The referredturning movement of the rocker I I2d also brings the other pin I66thereof into engagement with the adjacent retainer lugs I68d on theactuating slides 86b and 8601 which are not shifted on depression of thekey "Md, and retains the latter slides in their normal open position.Such movement of the pin I66 of the rocker Il2d, however, does notinterfere with the shift of the remaining actuating slides 8611, 86c,86c and 861 into closing position, since the latter slides do not haveretainer lugs IBM in operative relation with the pin I66 of the rockerIIZd, as appears clearly from Figs. l0, 12, 14 and 15.

It follows from the above description of the action of the shift key 14dthat the same leaves more than one row R of valve openings 46 in thevalve plate 32 open, in contrast to the action of the shift keys Ma, Mband which leave only one row R of said valve openings 46 open. Theremaining shift keys 14c and MI will, like the shift key 1411, leavedifferent combinations of rows R of valve openings 46 in the valve plate32 open.

On depressing the shift key 146 (Fig. 4), the associated. rocker II2ewill be turned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, and its pinII4 will engage the adjacent grouped shift lugs I I6e on the actuatingslides86a, 86b, 86d and 86 normal, open position.

and shift the latter slides into closing position, whereby theirrespective valve slides S6, S5, S3 and SI, are moved into closingposition. The actuating slides 86c and 866 are not affected by thereferred turning movement of the rocker I I2e, since they do not haveshift lugs I I6e in operative relation with the pin I Id of said rocker,as follows clearly from Figs. 12 and 14;. Hence, on depressing the shiftkey 146, all the valve passages 46 in the valve plate 32 are closed,with the exception of those in the rows R2 and R4. The referred turningmovement of the rocker Il2e brings the other pin I66 thereof intoretaining engagement with the adjacent retainer lugs I 686 on theactuating slides 86c and 86e which are not shifted by the depression ofthe shift key He. However, such movement of the pin I66 of the rocker I[26 does not interfere with the shift of the remaining actuating slides86a, 86b, 86d and 86], inasmuch as the latter slides are not providedwith retainer lugs I68e in operative relation with the pin I66 of saidrocker I [26.

Finally, depression of the shift key 14f (Fig. 4), causescounterclockwise turning movement of its associated rocker IE2 as viewedin Figs.

to 15, whereby its pin H4 engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs NW ofthe actuating slides 86b, 86c, 86d and 86a and shifts the latter slidesinto closing position, whereby their associated valve slides S5, S4, S3and S2 are moved into closing position. The referred turning movement ofthe rocker IIZf does not affect the actuating slides 86a and 86] sincethey fail to have shift lugs H6 in operative relation with the pin H4 ofsaid rocker H2 Hence, on depressing the shift key 74;, all the valvepassages 46 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception ofthose in the rows RI and R6. The valve slides S are shown in Fig. 4 inthe corresponding positions. The referred turning movement of the rockerH21 also brings the other pin I66 thereof into engagement with theretainer lugs I 65f on the actuating slides 86a and 86 which are notshifted by the depression of the shift key 14, However, such movement ofthe pin I66 of the rocker H21 does not interfere with the shift of theremaining actuating slides 86b, 86c, 86d and 866 into closing position,since the latter slides do not have retainer lugs I68 in operativerelation with the pin I66 of the rocker H2), as appears clearly fromFigs. 11 to 14, inclusive.

It follows from the preceding description that, while the main valves 42and 44 under the control of the keys 50 on the bass key board 28 openthe grouped valve passages GI and/or G2 in the valve plate 32, the valveslides SI to S6 under the control of the shift keys I4 afford a numberof variations in the valve openings of any group GI or G2, thusconsiderably increasing the number of variations in tones that may beobtained by the operation of the keys on the bass key board 28.

Provision is also made to return any combination of actuating slides 86and their associated valve slides S into their normal, open positions.To this end, the median shift key My (Fig. 4) is designated a returnshift key which, through a push bar I40 and a rocker I I29 of the typeshown in Fig. 8, for instance, returns any actuating slides 86 that arein closed position into their With this in view, the rocker I I2g (Fig.4) is made exactly like any of the other rockers IIZ, with the exceptionthat it does not require an arm I20 and a pin H4, but does have the armI22 and an upright pin I66g which is the same as the pin I66 on any ofthe other rockers H2. Adapted to cooperate with the return pin I66g ofthe rocker N29 is a return lug I689 on each of the actuating slides 86(Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive). On shifting any one of the heretoforedescribed combinations of actuating slides 86 into closing position,through operation of the corresponding shift key 14, their return lugs I689 are brought adjacent the return pin I66g so that, on the followingdepression of the return shift key 14g, the return pin I66g engages theadjacent return lugs I689 and returns the corresponding slides 86 totheir normal, open position. I

It will be understood that various changes in the details ofconstruction and in the arrangement of .parts may be made withoutdeparting from the underlying idea or principles of my invention withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I .claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In an accordion havin reeds, the combination with a chamber having awall provided with openings for the passage therethrough of air tovibrate the reeds, of a plurality of valve slides for said openingsmovable into two different positions to cover and uncover the latter,respectively, superposed actuating slides individually longitudinallymovable in the same opposite directions into two different positions anddrivingly connected with said valve slides, respectively, for moving thelatter into their two positions, said actuating slides having on oneside longitudinally spaced first lateral lugs arranged, in one positionof said actuating slides, in longitudinally spaced first groups composedof superposed lugs of different combinations, respectively, of saidactuating slides, and having on the other side longitudinally spaced,second lateral lugs arranged, in said one position of the actuatingslides, in longitudinally spaced second groups of superposed lugsadjacent, and associated with, said first groups, respectively, each ofsaid second groups being composed of second lugs of those actuatingslides which are not included in the combination of actuating slides ofwhich the associated first lugs compose the associated first group, andmechanism for each associated first and second group of lugs manuallyoperable to engage and push said first group and move the correspondingactuating slides into the other position, and to engage said associatedsecond group to retain thecorresponding actuating slides in said oneposition, each mechanism comprising a pivoted rocker having two pinsspaced from, and extending parallel to, the pivot axis of said rockerand straddling the sides of said actuating slides, one of said pinsengaging and pushing the lugs of its associated first group to move thecorresponding actuating slides into said other position, and the otherpin engaging the lugs of the associated second group to retain thecorresponding actuating slides in said one position, on rocking saidrocker in one direction, and means operable to rock said rocker in saidone direction,

2. In an accordion shift mechanism, a series of control buttons, aplurality of actuating bars, mounting lugs integral therewith upon theirupper and lower edges, the whole being held by a fixed frame, means toslidably move said actuating bars, comprising T-shaped levers and pinsthereon to push said lugs upon rotation of said levers to secure desiredtonal combinations and means carried by said bars and co-operating withsaid levers to reset said control buttons after use.

3. In an accordion shift mechanism, a series of control buttons, aplurality of actuating bars mounting lugs integral therewith upon theirupper and lower edges, the whole being held by a fixed frame, means toslidably move said actuating bars, comprising T-shaped levers and pinsthereon to push said lugs upon rotation of said levers to secure desiredtonal combinations and means to reset said control buttons after use,comprising the coaction of the said T levers and lugs whereby each movedlever restores any previously disturbed lever to its original position,thereby resetting the control button attached thereto.

TORQUATO BUGARI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

